Economic Development Steering Committee monthly meeting

DAYTON—The Economic Development Steering Committee met via Zoom on November 2.

Jennie Dickinson kicked the meeting off with an update regarding a grant from the Innovia Foundation for startup businesses. Two businesses in downtown Dayton, Table Rock Meat and Main Street Marketplace, have benefitted from the grant in the past. This year $5,000 has been awarded to Annie’s Attic, a new cafe and a vintage furniture business coming to Dayton, both owned by Laura and Tony Auckerman.

A second startup, the Starbuck Lodge, owned by Deb Hays and Zonie Dedloff, also received a $5,000 grant. The new lodge will include five rental cabins and a bath house.

Dickinson reported that the Main Street café, Locally Nourished, has leased the former Village Shoppes to expand their business. The owner’s partner will move his t-shirt business into the space, as well.

Dickinson said the Community Task Force is working with the Eagles to restore the facade of the historic building. She said that she believes the rebuild will be one story, but the saved facade will help maintain the beauty downtown.

She said the Columbia County Commissioners have not given her an answer regarding the funds for the broadband project. She was supposed to have an answer by the end of October.

The Port is still trying to focus on Commercial Street, and some of the complications regarding the Touchet Valley Trail project, but there was not much more to report.

A brief update regarding the proposed childcare center was shared. Currently, the port is researching the remodel costs for the proposed site, a Christian church, to determine if they are within reason. Another plan is being developed in the event the church location is too expensive to use.

When asked if the trail project could be closed after elections, Dickinson said it could potentially be shut down, but there is a legal process that must be followed. The process includes reopening the comprehensive plans, making change recommendations, holding a public hearing, and adopting changes.

“Decisions are meant to be made with public input,” Dickinson said. She added that if anything is done illegally, there could be recalls or the potential to open agencies up to lawsuits.

Vicki Zoller asked what would happen if the commissioners voted against providing funds to the Port for the broadband, would it end the broadband project. Dickinson said no, the Port of Columbia would look for funds elsewhere.

Shane McGuire, CCHS CEO, shared that he has signed a lease for the new assisted living facility. The footings have been poured for two of four units, and he observed that one foundation was being poured on Tuesday. He anticipated a June finish date, and he anticipated 30 residents on opening, with at least eight people on a waitlist.

McGuire said he had a great partnership with the project’s developer, Ron Asmouth, and the city and county have both been excellent to work with. This project is being funded by Asmuth, not from taxpayer money.

There was no update regarding affordable housing in the county.

Chelsey Eaton reported on behalf of Columbia County Public Health. She shared that Martha Lanman’s last day will be November 4.

She said that COVID-19 test results are going well, and there were two positive cases as of Tuesday. She said that there will be two more vaccination clinics and they were not sure what will happen after that. The nurse that was overseeing the clinics was leaving the department, and they needed to fill that position to meet state safety requirements.

Eaton said there have been a lot of calls interested in the booster shots, as well, and vaccination is going very well. More than 100 people were scheduled to receive a vaccination, whether first, second or booster shot, on Tuesday.

She said that leadership is still in limbo as of Tuesday, November 2, but it seemed that duties will be split between Eaton and Delphine Bailey, both long-time employees with the department.

Shane McGuire said that he believed the hospital received a USDA grant to improve access to acute care. He said there are currently 13 beds in acute care, and 12 elsewhere, making 25 beds in total.

Dayton School Superintendent Guy Strot reported that parent-teacher conferences are this week, so there is no school on Friday, and Wednesday and Thursday will be half-days.

There will be a presentation on November 9 from the Innovia Foundation, seeking public input on how to support students in Dayton. Strot said that a scholarship fund, meant for students who excel in school but cannot afford college, is being considered. For more information regarding that event, visit https://tinyurl.com/3c5vskwk.

He ended his report by sharing that there is an opening on the school board, for position number 2, and they are accepting applications from interested individuals. He said that applicants must live within the position’s boundaries, and to contact the auditor’s office to determine eligibility.

Dena Martin, from the county’s planning department, shared that everything is going well. Building permits have slowed a little bit, saying she heard an equipment shortage has slowed construction.

The committee heard an update from Columbia Pulp, before they adjourned.